Family Planet Tour
    Day 313: Langkawi

    Day 313: Langkawi

    Feb 10 - We finally have success getting the Grab app to operate in Janet’s phone, so use it to get a ride north to the Langkawi Wildlife Park. It isn’t quite what I was expecting, being more of a huge petting zoo than an outside park. But it is extensive, with a variety of animals native to SE Asia and other places.

    Iguanas are New World lizards, but popular as hands-on exhibits. This one was calm enough that the tail wasn’t a danger.
    Iguanas are New World lizards, but popular as hands-on exhibits. This one was calm enough that the tail wasn’t a danger.
    This must be a cross between a white and regular peacock.
    This must be a cross between a white and regular peacock.
    An albino boa, also a staple feature at any reptile park.
    An albino boa, also a staple feature at any reptile park.
    Finally, an animal native to Malaysia, the mouse deer, or chevrotain. It is the smallest hooved mammal in the world, Two species are native to SE Asia, and an additional type is known in West Africa.
    Finally, an animal native to Malaysia, the mouse deer, or chevrotain. It is the smallest hooved mammal in the world, Two species are native to SE Asia, and an additional type is known in West Africa.
    A southern cassowary, native to Papua New Guinea. Close up, they have features that remind one eerily of dinosaurs. It is also cited as being the most dangerous bird (to humans) because of its ability to kick and claw.
    A southern cassowary, native to Papua New Guinea. Close up, they have features that remind one eerily of dinosaurs. It is also cited as being the most dangerous bird (to humans) because of its ability to kick and claw.

    From here we get another Grab to the Kilim Geoforest Park. There are two entrances, we go to the northern one where we organize a two-hour speedboat tour for 500 RM (expensive, if we had more time could probably have found a better price). The boat leaves from Tanjong Rhu pier, at the north end of Langkawi.

    At the spot where the mangrove tour companies tout their offers.
    At the spot where the mangrove tour companies tout their offers.
    This park covers the northeast part of Langkawi. Its most interesting features are sheer limestone cliffs and extensive groves of tall mangrove trees. It is an odd combination of deeply weathered karstic terrain and mudflats.
    This park covers the northeast part of Langkawi. Its most interesting features are sheer limestone cliffs and extensive groves of tall mangrove trees. It is an odd combination of deeply weathered karstic terrain and mudflats.
    In front of the official signage for the park. The rocks here are limestones of the Setul Formation, formed about 490-370 million years ago.
    In front of the official signage for the park. The rocks here are limestones of the Setul Formation, formed about 490-370 million years ago.
    Gua Kelawar, or Bat Cave, originally formed by wave erosion when the sea level was higher. Now it is home to three species of insectivorous bats.
    Gua Kelawar, or Bat Cave, originally formed by wave erosion when the sea level was higher. Now it is home to three species of insectivorous bats.
    These poor bats get flashlights aimed at them all day long.
    These poor bats get flashlights aimed at them all day long.
    A shot showing the juxtaposition of the cliffs with the mangroves, at high tide.
    A shot showing the juxtaposition of the cliffs with the mangroves, at high tide.
    Crocodile Cave, which has nothing to do with crocodiles. The tide was too high to go through it in the boat.
    Crocodile Cave, which has nothing to do with crocodiles. The tide was too high to go through it in the boat.
    A macaque that jumped on to the boat looking for food. It was missing its left paw, and also had a deep wound on its leg. I saw others with injuries as well, they obtain them from fighting each other as there are no animals around that eat them.
    A macaque that jumped on to the boat looking for food. It was missing its left paw, and also had a deep wound on its leg. I saw others with injuries as well, they obtain them from fighting each other as there are no animals around that eat them.
    At one of the fish farms. The worker is trying to coax a grouper out of the depths with a fish.
    At one of the fish farms. The worker is trying to coax a grouper out of the depths with a fish.
    A large stingray, upside-down, being fed. Like those in the Maldives, they are quite docile around people and easy to feed.
    A large stingray, upside-down, being fed. Like those in the Maldives, they are quite docile around people and easy to feed.
    This enclosure at the fish farm had spotted morays, angelfish, a baby shark, and some boxfish.
    This enclosure at the fish farm had spotted morays, angelfish, a baby shark, and some boxfish.
    A giant grouper, over ten years old.
    A giant grouper, over ten years old.

    Get another Grab back to Kuah. Stop first at the Wildlife Park again, as Odette left her hat there and there were many tears. Fortunately, the staff there had already put it at the reception counter for retrieval. We eat the same fish meal at the nearby restaurant for dinner.

    Today’s route: (A) Kuah, (B) Langkawi Wildlife Park, (C) mangrove tour companies, (D) Tanjong Rhu Pier.
    Today’s route: (A) Kuah, (B) Langkawi Wildlife Park, (C) mangrove tour companies, (D) Tanjong Rhu Pier.
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